CD Reviews

She climbed the highest mountain

Enlightened | Atlanta Georgia | 06/27/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Aaliyah. The name of the woman who gave birth to every teen sensation out since her debut. this includes Mya, monica, christina aguilera, britney spears, 3lw, 702 etc. She made it tight to sign a teen to a record deal. With 49 minutes of sheer genius of R. Kelly production and songwriting ( no they were never engaged) catapults this from mediocrity to being a cd for the ages. This beautiful girl with the beatiful voice knock folks on they heels with Back and Forth, then she went for the knockout punch with At Your Best and the title track. All the songs are brilliantly done and sung. Production is timeless. Another opus is Street Thing. Do not sleep on thsi joint anymore. Cream will always rise to the top. Dont get it twisted about Aaliyah. I bet some people think she a new artist which is pretty ridiculous. The mother will return witha album this summer drops on July 17th. She teased u with Romeo Must Die soundtrack but it is now time to restore order in her household of little "teenyboppers". If you consider ya self a true r&b fan then you should already have this cd If you dont you should be at the store in the next 15 minutes u will not be disappointed."

Aaliyah's debut still sounds great!

Westley | Stuck in my head | 04/17/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Aaliyah's debut CD yielded two Top 10 singles - "Back and Forth" and "At Your Best (You Are Love)" (the later or which was written and originally recorded by the Isley Brothers). However, the CD is filled with great songs, including a great balance of hip-hip songs (Throw Your Hands Up, Down with the Clique) and ballads (Age Ain't Nothing But a Number). Almost any of the songs on the CD could have been a hit single. That said, Aaliyah's voice was not as mature as it would be later, and some of the lyrics are a bit juvenile (if you're not down with my clique/ then you're poop on a stick).The entire CD was produced by R. Kelly (he appears in the shadows on the CD back cover and is name-checked in several songs). With one producer, the CD sounds very cohesive, but it also is not as varied as her later CDs. It was rumored that she and R. Kelly were married at the time, even though she was only 15 years old. Her marriage seems to be addressed in the song, "Age Ain't Nothing But a Number," which argues that she is wiser than her years would seem.At times, the album sounds a bit dated (the CD "One In a Million" is much better). One of the lyrics states, "Aalyiah's got a 90's swing," which is pretty accurate - the CD sounds very much like an early 90's hip-hp CD. Despite this complaint, I still greatly enjoy this CD. It sounds great and is a lasting tribute to Aaliyah's talent. We will miss out on hearing future recordings from this superstar, but will continue to enjoy the music she left behind."

An R&B album with a soft Hip Hop feel...

Pauline | Connecticut USA | 08/26/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I took out her 2 cds, that I own, when I heard of her passing. So young. And due to the 2 cds that I have, along with her other non album singles, she was definitely going somewhere and had wonderful talent ahead to show. I think you'll definitely have to like R&B/very soft Hip Hop in order to appreciate the album. Also, keep in mind that she was 15 when she did this album. Some of the 'young me' favorites on the cd are (quite a few off the album); "Age Ain't Nothing But a Number","Down with the Clique" (fun beat & rhythm), "At Your Best (You Are Love)" (R&B love song, pleasant), "No One Knows How To Love Me Quite Like You Do" (more of a hip hop love song...unique), "Young Nation", and I like the R. Kelly remix of "Back & Forth" (party song). All in all a pleasant album. And I would rate this a 4 even before her death. Wonderful debut album from a 15 year old, and the songs are what a 15 year old would sing and create (along with her co-creators)."

R. Kelly featuring Aaliyah

E.J. Rupert | Milwaukee, WI | 02/26/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"On Aaliyah's debut, it ain't hard to tell that R. Kelly found her. Most of the songs sound like Aaliyah is featured on them instead of them being her own songs like "Back and Forth" and "Old School" (R. Kelly's name is even being mentioned in the latter's chorus). One of the only moments that you can feel Aaliyah's ability is on the remake of The Isley Brothers' "At Your Best". This album is still good to play in your stereo, but if you want a really good Aaliyah album, check out One in a Million (yeah, I know she has another album after that; I meant what I said)."

"1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9! Aaliyah's in the house, fools!"

zooropaflygirl | USA | 12/12/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a really good debut album, and it has that funky 90s hip hop swing sound that I absolutely LOVE! This is what real hip-hop is about, not that (garbage) that's on radio and TV nowadays. My favorite song on the album is Throw Your Hands Up, it's the best song with the best hook that'll stick in your head for days and you can't help but bob your head and rap to it. It's kind of like an anthem to Aaliyah and similar artists at the time."1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9! Aaliyah's in the house...So if you down with the funky flava throw your hand up,and if you got the flavor for Aaliyah throw your hands up,and if you down with Blackground throw your hands up..." The sassy female rapping voice you hear throughout the album on her songs is Tia, FYI, but for some reason she wasn't credited in the album flap. This album sounds quite different from her subsequent ones because she was teamed with R. Kelly and Tia instead of Timbaland and Missy "Misendeamor" Elliot. The singles are "Back and Forth" (an excellent song) and a cover of "At Your Best(You Are Love)" (this one puts me to sleep, but it's pretty). The title track has a sweet catchy hook and a message I can relate to."